Falls Church Dental Implants

Dental implants have emerged as a leading solution for replacing missing teeth, preferred by many dentists. This procedure involves replacing tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts and replacing damaged or missing teeth with artificial ones that closely resemble and function like real teeth. At Pike Smiles in Falls Church, VA, dental implants are offered as an excellent alternative to dentures, particularly when a lack of natural teeth roots prohibits the construction of denture or bridgework tooth replacements

Disadvantages of Dental Implants

When considering dental implant surgery, it’s essential to understand the potential risks, although they are rare and typically minor. Risks may include:

• Sinus problems, if implants in the upper jaw protrude into sinus cavities.
• Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels.
• Nerve damage, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling in natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin.
• Infection at the implant site.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer numerous benefits, including:

• Appearance: Implants closely resemble natural teeth in both look and feel.
• Speech: Unlike dentures or bridges, implants eliminate concerns about slurred speech due to slipping.
• Comfort: Implants provide permanent stability without chafing or discomfort common with dentures.
• Oral Health: Unlike bridges, implants don’t require modifying surrounding teeth, and they prevent bone deterioration while promoting healthy bone tissue growth.

Dental Implant Procedure

Here’s an overview of the typical dental implant procedure:

1. Initial Consultation: The patient undergoes a comprehensive exam and consultation to develop a personalized treatment plan.
2. Implant Placement: The implant, serving as a substitute tooth root, is placed during the next appointment.
3. Healing Period: Approximately 2-3 months are given for the implant to heal and integrate with the bone tissue.
4. Abutment Attachment: Once integration is successful, an abutment is attached to the implant.
5. Restoration: Impressions are taken to create custom crowns, bridges, or dentures to replace missing teeth, ensuring a seamless blend with natural teeth.

Once you get the finished implant, your new teeth are ready to use! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Falls Church, VA office at (703) 533-8200. We want your implants to look and feel like real teeth and you smile looking its best!

Cavity Prevention at Pike Smiles

Cavities, often referred to as tooth decay, are tiny holes that develop in the hard surface of your teeth. They are most common in children and teenagers, but they can affect everyone including infants and toddlers. Join Pike Smiles as we take a closer look at what causes cavities and how you can prevent them.

Causes of Cavities

Cavities typically occur as a result of poor oral health habits but other various factors can increase the risk of getting a cavity, including:

• Dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps wash away food stuck on the teeth and it counters the acid produced from bacteria in the mouth, which reduces the chance for cavities.
• Foods and drinks. Certain foods aren’t as easily washed away from saliva, making them more likely to cause decay. Foods you should limit include: ice cream, honey, sugar, soda, cake, chips, cookies, and hard candy.
• Constant snacking or sipping. Drinking or eating frequently throughout the day results in increased bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria produce the acids that attack tooth enamel.
• Lack of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities and can reverse the early stage of tooth decay. Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to help reduce your chance of cavities.

Cavity Prevention

Regular dental visits and daily brushing and flossing are the best protection against cavities. But, cavities left untreated get larger and larger, affecting the deeper layers of your teeth. Deeper cavities result in higher chances of experiencing severe toothache and infection. So, when it comes to cavities, prevention is key. Below are some of our cavity preventions tips:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste. Brush and floss twice a day, ideally after each meal.
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings remove plaque that builds up overtime which isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing. Going to the dentist twice a year is one of the best cavity prevention options.
• Dental sealants. Sealants protect the tooth enamel from harmful plaque and bacteria.

If you think that you have a cavity or are experiencing tooth decay, contact our Falls Church, VA office immediately at (703) 533-8200.